I have recently noticed a well known ATL provider increased her rate (350 to 500 an hour).  I am just wondering...is 500 an hour really worth it?  I read a lot of reviews for the girls who charge this and they tend to always be 10 out of 10s.  Maybe they are worth the extra cash?  
I assume the girls charge these rates for a lot of reasons...want to attract higher paying clientele, feel they are worth it, built up enough business to be able to offer this rate, etc. etc.
Yet, for those of us in the hobby, is it really worth the extra money?  Seems like 350 in the ATL market is already pretty steep and usually as high as I personally will go.  Also, if I use TER reviews and do the right research, I tend to get 8, 9, and 10 rated girls at better rates.  But maybe I should reconsider...
Is it like buying a Maserati, Rolex, etc.  Great to "show off", but at the end of the day is it just to say you have it?  Is the experience really that much better?
I hope I am not making anyone upset, but I generally do want to know what people think...

Many ladies offer specials and grandfather regulars.  Some women really are worth the premium.  Many are not significantly better than lower price competitors.  But you should focus your hobby where you are comfortable.  Train wrecks about rates serve no real purpose.

I tell ya......I have been with girls that range from 150 hr to 500 hr and I think each person gets something different out of it. Usually but not always the higher priced girls are more low volume than the lower priced ones and that alone is very important to many people but you have to have the wallet to enjoy that. Not bragging here but just giving you my situation as I could see only $500 girls if I wanted too but I don't. My regular ATF that I see many times a week is only $200 an hour and is absolutely the best provider I have ever been with. She rocks my world every time I see her. She will only see 2 clients max during the day before she see's me at night and for me that is low volume enough. Even as many times as I have seen her I still get that giddy high level of excitement feeling every time I'm driving over to see her. Like I say....I have met know one in this hobby that compares to her but also like I say.....YMMV......she may just be a 7/7 for you but for me she is an 11/11.....and don't bother asking who she is....LOL......she is the only one I save for myself.....I won't even review her.....LOL

I have been thinking about this recently myself. Apparently it is tabu to discuss on the board. I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents worth.  I truly believe every provider should charge as much as their personal market will allow. If you are in a traditional business, you want to earn as much as you can. Why shouldn't providers.  It doesn't mean everyone will get to see her but that's ok.  I have a strict hobby budget and can see a $500 lady if I want but it would cut into my budget too harshly so I have found several 9 performance and 7, 8 and 9 looks providers at a more comfortable price that rock  my world.  As a veteran hobbiest I have seen women of all prices and there are indeed some that deserve a premium. They get  9 &10 on looks and performance consistently.   There are also a lot of new providers in the $350 +  range that are beautiful but have only OK performance scores.  I generally prefer performance over looks but once in a while you got to have that one gorgeous babe that wants a premium no matter what her performancei is. Happy hobbling everyone.

while many ladies are going up on rates, I on the other hand am looking for better deals, as often (not always) they just raise rates without improving service ...

luckily the Atlanta market is diverse... with agencies and independents

I'm usually in the 200-300 range.    When I see rates above 300 I have to really consider whether the experience (ie environment, provider services etc.) will live up as I've had numerous great experiences in my current range.

Because...

She is happy with her customer base and is discoraging new guys.
A wealthy professional can't get enough of her.
She is experimenting with her market value.
She saw another provider raise her rate and if that bitch is worth then dammit so is she.
She bought a new car.
Her "manager" told her to
Or
Because she can.